Pakistan: Lockdowns introduced in parts of Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Multan (Punjab province) November 10 /update 36

Event

Authorities in Punjab have announced that parts of the cities of Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Multan will be placed under lockdown with immediate effect on Tuesday, November 10, due to an increase in detected cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The measure, which will remain in place until November 19, includes the closing of all markets, malls, and restaurants. It also restricts movement and suspends all gatherings in these areas. Shops selling essential items will operate on revised opening times; however, medical services will remain accessible 24 hours a day. A full list of areas under these measures can be found here.

Public transport has restarted across the country in addition to the resumption of domestic and international flight operations. Authorities have also allowed restaurants, cafes, cinemas, gyms, and religious institutions to reopen amid the partial easing of COVID-19 restrictions since June. However, face coverings remain mandatory in all public areas and on public transportation.

As of November 10, there have been 346,476 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Pakistan, and 7000 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease. 

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